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Kingsway Announces Reverse Stock Split

TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - (TSX:KFS, NYSE:KFS) Kingsway Financial Services Inc. ("Kingsway" or the "Company") today announced that it is implementing an action to effect a reverse stock split of the Company's common stock. The action is intended to ensure that Kingsway remains in compliance with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) continued listing standards. The action has been approved in principal by the Company's Board of Directors and remains subject to final Board action and shareholder approval. Kingsway is conducting the reverse stock split in conjunction with reviewing various other strategic alternatives including possible acquisitions or mergers to enhance shareholder value.

Kingsway has notified the NYSE of its intention to address through a reverse stock split its non-compliance with the NYSE continued listing requirement that the average closing price of a security not be lower than $1.00 per share over a consecutive 30 trading-day period (the minimum share price requirement). The Company's common stock continues to be listed on the NYSE and trades as usual subject to the NYSE's continued listing standards and monitoring.

In addition to bringing the Company into compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standards, the Company's Board believes a reverse stock split would have the additional benefit of attracting a broader range of institutional and other investors. The Board also believes that a higher share price will reduce per share transaction fees and certain administrative costs.

The Company plans to submit the reverse stock split for shareholder approval at its regular Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in May and will implement the approved action promptly thereafter. The time, date, location and other details regarding the meeting, and additional information on the treatment of fractional shares and other effects of the reverse stock split, will be communicated to shareholders at a later date.